Understanding temporary employee motivation is an essential first step in reducing turnover. Managers often incorrectly assume that temporary workers are only motivated by their hourly pay. While wages are important to temporary employees, there are a whole range of motivations for temporary workers.
According to an American Staffing Association survey, nearly half of temporary or contract workers said that their assignments were a means to a permanent position, 28% said that they were looking to gain work experience, and 24% said that they were looking to improve skills. In other words, a significant number of temporary workers are motivated by factors that range beyond their paycheck. Understanding these motivations and managing to them can help improve morale and reduce turnover. In fact, simply understanding that the temporary workforce operates very much in tandem with the motivations of the workforce as a whole, is an important first step in reducing turn-over.
Since many people are motivated by different incentives, going the extra mile and being flexible in what you offer your temps will make for a happier contingent workforce. Monetary agreements like bonuses and contests with cash prizes are an easy way to motivate your temp workers. Awarding extra money to temps may not be the most cost effective way to inspire them, however, they are more likely to perform better knowing that a small bonus may be involved.
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